On the way back to the Land of Snow, Obito let out a faint sigh.
It was happening earlier than he had planned.
Originally, he wanted to wait until Akatsuki lost manpower during the hunt for the Tailed Beasts.
Then, and only then, would he bring in Pakura as reinforcement. But things had shifted ahead of schedule.
He thought back to Akatsuki's roster, each member marked by the ring they bore:
Pain (Nagato): 「零」 Rei ("Zero") – right thumb
Konan: 「白」 Byaku ("White") – right middle finger
Itachi Uchiha: 「朱」 Shu ("Scarlet") – right ring finger
Kisame Hoshigaki: 「南」 Nan ("South") – left ring finger
Sasori: 「玉」 Gyoku ("Jewel") – left thumb
Deidara: 「青」 Ao ("Blue/Green") – right index finger
Kakuzu: 「北」 Hoku ("North") – left middle finger
Hidan: 「三」 San ("Three") – left index finger
Zetsu: 「玄」 Gen ("Mystery/Black") – right little finger
Orochimaru (before defecting): 「空」 Kū ("Sky/Empty") – left little finger
One slot had already been left empty after Orochimaru's betrayal. Even with the full group, things were never as stable as they looked.
"Well… bringing Pakura in a little earlier won't hurt," Obito muttered. "The Akatsuki members are all talents anyway. Efficient, ruthless… and they even make a bit of 'side profit' whenever they bring back a corpse."
By evening, after arriving back in the Snow Country, Obito sat down with Pakura and explained the situation.
"Sunagakure still has a bounty on your head," he told her flatly.
Pakura frowned, silent for a moment before letting out a bitter laugh. "…Of course they do."
Then, after listening closely, her eyes narrowed. "So if I join Akatsuki, when do I get my chance to deal with those higher-ups in the Sand?"
"What's this? Can't wait already?" Obito smirked faintly.
"Don't worry. We're collecting all the Tailed Beasts. That includes Shukaku. When the time comes, you'll get your chance to cause trouble back home."
Pakura exhaled slowly, then gave a small smile. "…That's good enough."
She hesitated. "…But if I join Akatsuki, that means I can't return to the Snow Country often, doesn't it?"
"What's this? Feeling reluctant?" Obito teased.
"…Yeah." She nodded honestly with a smile.
"..."
Obito thought for a moment, then shrugged. "Fine. I'll just tell the others the recruitment failed. Honestly, you weren't supposed to join this early anyway."
Pakura blinked in surprise. "So… you're saying I don't have to?"
Obito waved her off. "Forget it. No need to complicate things."
Pakura shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"It's good to get out and move. After all these years in the Land of Snow, my body's about to rust."
"It's fine. I'll have Nagato arrange for you to operate alone when the time comes," Obito said. He sounded casual, but there was an edge of planning behind it.
Obito paused for a moment, then continued, "When the Akatsuki doesn't have a mission, they don't care what you do. It's almost completely free. If you want to come back to the Snow Country, you can."
"Good," Pakura answered. Then, as if she had remembered something amusing, she smiled wider. "I suggest you go see Yugao."
"Yugao?" Obito blinked. The name pulled him out of his thoughts. "What's wrong with her?"
"You've been discovered," Pakura said with a mischievous grin. "Your… affair with us. She knows."
Obito went momentarily speechless. When the silence stretched, he only found himself grinning thick-skinned as ever. "Fine. I'll go see her."
Obito found Yugao on the training ground, channeling her frustration into sword practice.
Her opponent was Mei Terumi, the two clashed with precise, controlled strikes.
"Yo, you're back." Mei Terumi dodged Yugao's blade and greeted Obito with an easy smile.
Obito only nodded in return. Yugao halted mid-swing and turned, her glare slicing the air between them. She made no move to disguise her anger.
Mei laughed softly, amusement bright in her eyes, and tapped Yugao with a teasing finger. "If you don't come back, she's ready to kill me,"
Mei said, then pointed at Yugao with exaggerated solemnity. "In short... this lovesick, resentful woman will be handed over to you."
With that, Mei Terumi bowed once...playful, almost mocking and strode out of the training ground without another look.
"Hey… that woman said you went to her for a new training method. Is that true?"
After Mei Terumi left, Yugao asked stiffly, her face tight with resentment.
"Yes."
Obito nodded without hesitation.
Though it wasn't only about training… he added silently to himself.
"Then why didn't you come to me?" Yugao's voice trembled, her glare fierce but tinged with something softer. After asking, her cheeks flushed crimson.
Obito sighed, rubbing his forehead as if exasperated. "Haah… Did you ever stop to think how old you were back then?"
"Uh…"
Yugao froze. The anger drained from her eyes, replaced with awkward realization. She hadn't considered that at all.
She stiffened again, stubbornly forcing the words out. "Then… why don't you come to me now?"
"Oh?" Obito raised a brow, looking at her with genuine curiosity.
The Yugao standing before him...sixteen years old now had grown into a slim, graceful young woman. In this world, sixteen was an age one could already marry.
The corner of Obito's mouth curled into a faint, knowing smile.
"You also want to 'train' with me?"
Obito's voice was low, teasing. In the blink of an eye, he flickered forward, scooping Yugao up onto his shoulder like she weighed nothing.
"Let's go then…!"
"Eh?! N-Now?!" Yugao's eyes widened in shock, her body tensing as she bounced against his shoulder.
"Wait! It's not even dark yet!" she yelped, face flaring red.
"Doesn't matter," Obito replied flatly, walking forward without hesitation.
"I-I haven't eaten dinner yet!" Yugao tried again, scrambling for excuses.
"For shinobi, skipping one meal won't kill you." His calm reply was merciless.
"I just finished training...I haven't even showered!"
"Perfect. We'll shower together," Obito said with a straight face.
Yugao went silent, mouth opening and closing with no comeback. "No, I… uh…" Her excuses finally ran out.
Obito tightened his grip and said firmly, "Yugao, I'm going to help you 'train' today. That's final."
"…Uhhh…" Her head drooped in defeat, but her face betrayed her...cheeks glowing, lips curling into a tiny, bashful smile as he carried her away.
--
📢 A/N for Readers: I'm telling you guys in advance so you don't have to wait... 2 R-18 Chapters coming ahead next.
Kukukuku~ Fresh meat and veterans, gather up because the deal is simple
The R-18 chapters are locked and loaded ahead.
As usual: 300 Power Stones = 1 R-18 chapter.
This round's deal: 600 Stones = 2 R-18 chapters.
⚠️ Don't drop Stones here.
(If you do, they vanish like Ace's chest.) 💥🍩
👉 All Power Stones must go to Naruto: Reborn as Hidan The Immortal
Doesn't matter if you're caught up or behind.
Every Stone adds up.
📊 Progress Counter: 154 / 600
That's the number you should keep in mind. Don't get confused.
The pounding awaits~